Daniel Takes First in Heptathlon; Faulhaber, Thorp Win Hammer Throw

Willamette versus Corban Dual Set to Conclude on Thursday

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University grabbed wins in the heptathlon, men's hammer throw and women's hammer throw on the second day of the Willamette vs. Corban Dual on Wednesday, March 18. Bekah Daniel (Jr., Silverdale, WA/Central Kitsap HS) won the heptathlon, Max Faulhaber (Sr., Eugene, OR/Sheldon HS) prevailed in the men's hammer and Kaeleigh Thorp (Jr., Sam Leandro, CA/Encinal HS) took first place in the women's hammer.

Daniel achieved a combined score of 4,164 in the seven events of the heptathlon. She won by just over 700 points, with Emma Berg of Corban in second place at 3,454. Molly Bond (Jr., Clarkston, WA/Asotin HS) of Willamette finished in third place at 3,368, just 86 points behind Berg.

Jenny Harman of Corban was fourth in the heptathlon at 3,279 points. Alli Ehrhardt from Corban was fifth with 2,953 points.

Daniel, who placed first or second in three of the four events on the first day of the heptathlon, took second place in all three events on the second day. She covered a distance of 16' 8.75" in the long jump, threw the javelin 86' 4.50" and completed the 800-meter run in 2:31.63, just 1.05 off her career-best time. Her top score of the competition was 783 in the 100-meter hurdles (15.45 seconds).

Event winners on the second day of the heptathlon were Berg in the long jump and the 800-meter run, and Harman in the javelin. Berg went 17' 0" in the long jump and was timed at 2:30.29 in the 800. Harman won the javelin with a top throw of 122' 5.50".

Faulhaber threw the hammer 171' 4.50" to win the event. He led a 1-2-3 finish for the Bearcats. WU teammates Jordan Loos (Jr., Springfield, OR/Thurston HS) and Tyler Higley (Jr., Aloha, OR/Aloha HS) battled it out for second place, with Loos gaining a toss of 157' 9.50" for second and Higley taking third at 157' 1.75". Jack Lander of Corban was fourth at 129' 3.75".

In the women's hammer throw, Thorp earned a personal record with a distance of 141' 6". She broke her previous best mark of 141' 0", set at the 2013 Northwest Conference Championships on April 26, 2013. She remained fifth on Willamette's all-time list.

Kelsey Engstrom (Jr., Clinton, WA/South Whidbey HS) of the Bearcats was second in the women's hammer at 136' 10". Jossalyn Wright (Jr., Aumsville, OR/Cascade HS), also from Willamette, was third at 125' 3.75".

The remaining events in the Willamette vs. Corban Dual will be held on Thursday, March 20 at the Charles Bowles Track. Action is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. (PDT).